Saint Alban Roe

Alban Roe (born Bartholomew; 20 July 1583 – 21 January 1642) was an English Benedictine who was killed for ministering as a Catholic priest in 17th-century England. He is venerated as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Bartholomew Roe was born in 1583, in Suffolk. He was brought up a Protestant and with his brother James converted to Catholicism; both became Benedictine monks. Details of Roe's life are scant. He was not typically monastic, but of an explosive and unpredictable temperament. It has been said that the outstanding characteristics of his life were cheerfulness and tenacity, and that his sanctity was unquestionable. The disruption caused by the dissolution of the monasteries deprived Benedictine monks of a key aspect of their life: lifelong stability within a community. Large monasteries had disappeared and those houses which remained consisted of small fragmented groups or even isolated individuals. Inevitably for monks at this time, this type of community led some to focus on contemplation, becoming withdrawn mystics whilst others out of necessity were more practical and individual, and focussed on the missionary aspect. Roe's conversion experience was unusual: he tried to convert an imprisoned Catholic to Protestantism, but found himself defeated in argument. From this time, according to Challoner, "Mr. Roe was very uneasy in mind upon the score of religion; nor did this uneasiness cease till by reading and confessing with Catholic Priests he was thoroughly convinced of his errors and determined to embrace the ancient faith. Having found the treasure of God's truth himself, he was very desirous to impart the same to the souls of his neighbours." Consequently, in 1607 he entered the English College at Douai to study for the priesthood. Roe was not only content to rub people up the wrong way, but to make sure that they noticed.